It means that they match, but the company portion isn't really yours until it 'vests'. If you leave before that point, the unvested portion of the company contribution disappears.

In that case, you have to ask yourself how long you expect to be there, as best as you can figure. If you're probably going to best at least some, or especially at least 40-60%, then I would imagine that it is still a good idea to get the match.

Of course, on the flip side, if you don't expect any of it to vest, then you obviously won't be there very long, so the expense ratios won't have time to do much damage. Yet you will have the benefit of the money being tax deferred for decades.

I would run some numbers if I were you, but it still seems to me that its worth putting in to get the match (whatever portion you actually get is TBD). And maxing a Roth IRA. After that the question becomes more difficult, but, that's what the spreadsheet is for :)

And definitely work on talking to co-workers and bosses. Show some examples of a $10,000 investment, 10% growth, and how much would be taken in fees over 20 years or something. Change doesn't just happen on its own.

To my knowledge employer contributions to a 401K deferral plan are either on a 5 year vesting schedule where 20% of contributions vest each year or a 3 year cliff vesting schedule where all employer contributions vest after 3 years.

There can be some limitations regarding when the employee is first eligible. Check with HR.